On the road again...

Jeremy and I moved every year for our first 7 years of marriage and spent summers house sitting and on summer projects. We have been in our current house 3 1/2 years - a record for us - and it has been such a blessing. It's been a great little house and the only house our children know. It's been a great neighborhood - I won't talk about how I will miss our neighbor, Mrs. Jessica (and her family) and how we all ready miss Mrs. Valerie and Lucy down the street and her family (though my Lucy and I have 'pretend' visited her several times on the train). And we've had a great church and school for Samuel. Next Tuesday we will start packing the moving truck to head to our next destination and next adventure. I'm excited about the changes ahead - an amazing job for Jeremy, several good relationships allready established and we'll be closer to Grandpa Noonan.

So for the next week we'll be in OPERATION: Just Throw It In A Box or Throw it AWAY. We've slowly been packing but we still have to live life around here with our three shorter family members - so if you just LOVE to pack or want hold a baby on Monday - let me know!

In other news
I have been taking pics and hopefully will catch up soon on the other happenings - Here is the brief version - Puddin' is doing better (I'll ignore yesterday and pretend it didn't happen) with her screaming incessantly, Samuel no longer has the 102 - 103 fever he started the week out with, Lucy is currently trying to get the syrup out of her hair from her breakfast waffles and my only goal today is to be a patient Mama to my kiddos and get our flat tire fixed. Have a great Saturday!

Quotes

I've referred to Lydia as a "happy camper" or "she's not a happy camper" lately. Samuel was testing out this new term tonight.

Samuel: "Lydia, you're a GOOD camper."

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While at Grandma's several weeks ago.

Samuel: "Mama, can you turn the light up I can't see a DAMN thing."
Mama: in a calm, clarifying manner "What did you say, Buddy?"
Samuel: "Can you turn the light up - I can't see a DAMN thing."
Mama: a calm discussion about appropriate words for little guys came up - oh the things little ears hear and little mouths repeat! Atleast he used the word in an appropriate context

Much better

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and prayers - the last two days have been much better with Lydia. I've gotten some rest and she's slept. I've gotten some packing done and she's sat in her bouncey seat. I've smiled at her and she's smiled back. Thanks again. Now I'm just praying she'll find her thumb...

new morning - new mercies

<sup>Yet, I still dare to hope
when I remember this:

The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.

Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in Him!"

The LORD is good to those who depend on Him,
to those who search for Him.</sup>

Lamentations 3:21 - 25

Peace

I've often heard the saying "sleeping like a baby" referring to peaceful sleep - yes, it really is peaceful for ALL involved. Thank you, Lord for strength to care for this precious little girl. It isn't as bad as it seems in the moment...she really only cries several hours a day and there are 20 more hours that she doesn't, she is healthy, she is beautiful and her siblings, Mama and Daddy still love her.... AND she really smiled at me today (it was only once but I think she was actually looking at me and smiled - a precious gift)

For sanity sake...

Finding laughter in the ordinary (read - finding sanity in the incessant screaming) is what I need to do so I came up with a list of what I thought I would do with my week and what I've done instead.

What I thought I would do -
1. I thought I would be able to spend time with Puddin' and figure her out in the peacefulness of an empty home

2. I thought I would start my post baby work out routine

3. I thought I would get packing done for our move in a couple of weeks

4. Listen to a sermon on CD about the gospel and grace

5. Talk on the phone to some friends

Instead what I've done -

1. Made a trip to the pediatrician (where she screamed for the 15 minute appt) and the lactation consultant to find out anything to help the screaming.....got some reflux medicine and sympathy.

2. Baked a pan of Ghirardelli dark chocolate brownies to eat all by myself (chocolate = sanity)

3. Drove around in the van wasting gas because Puddin' doesn't usually scream in the car and I can drown out the crying with the radio if it does get bad.

4. Sat outside for 10 minutes while Puddin' screamed just to see if it was me who was making her cry (I'm trying to exhaust all possibilities and will try just about anything).

5. Thought I was going to lose it...prayed...and then she took a 3 hour nap - Thank you LORD! Seriously, she has been sleeping in good chunks - she's just usually not happy when she's awake.

6. Wondered if it's too quiet in our house without brother and sister around...

OK, folks - I think we'll make it, I mean I know we will, but pray for Lydia that she would calm down a bit and for me that I would get some packing done and not lose my marbles in the process.

Thank you Grandma for keeping Samuel and Lucy for the week so I can figure Lydia out!

Disclaimer - Lydia screamed on and off in the writing of this blog post - thoughts and written word are not filtered through a rested brain....just keeping it real.

Quotes

Frequently in the last few weeks I've used the phrase "screaming bloody murder" - just a few times. The children have overheard my descriptions of Lydia's screaming. Today Lucy was holding Lydia on the couch and Lydia started screaming -

Lucy: "Mama! Lydia's screaming bloody NOSES!"

I guess the bloodiest thing Lucy has seen is one of Daddy's bloody noses - I guess they're bad too and so is that screaming.

My crazy family

We're surviving the summer together as a family. Here are some pics of us this week
Fashionable Daddy with his girls right before his P90x workout
Yippee!!! Wahoo!! Go Mama, get all that packing and cleaning done - we'll cheer you on!

All Smiles

Here's puddin' - and she's smiling!

"Cry all afternoon? who me? you must have the wrong person!"

The Entrepreneurs

As we begin the packing process the children are sorting through their things. Last night Samuel decided he was going to sell some of his prized possessions. He could not be persuaded to wait until we could have a garage sale - he wanted to open "Boys Toys" in our driveway this morning. He chose the items, labeled them and had them set up last night before bed. He was reluctant to part with some of his toilet paper rolls BUT just in case you were wanting one - they are the highest priced item - $1 a piece. I'm sure we'll have some interesting conversations about the business in the next few days - (ie. opening hours don't have to be before 7:30 because boys usually sleep late in the summer). And so that she would not be left out - Lucy opened "Girls Toys" they are fierce competition.

Lydia - Love Bug

Even though I have a mean set of lungs on me - I'm still a cutie. Mama has taken to calling me Puddin' or Punkin'. I chose to smile for Mama this weekend - I thought she might need the encouragement! I do like the swing cousin Wyatt loaned me for short bits of time...and don't you love my spikey red hair!

Quotes

After asking Lucy to clean up her room I asked her
Mama: "Lucy, is your room clean?"
She responded
Lucy: "Let me go check so that I don't lie."

Translation - "Are you kidding me Mama? there is no way I have finished cleaning my crazy room, but if I leave now and go check I won't get in trouble but if I stay and lie - ooooweee I will be in trouble then."

I love how their little minds work!

My Kindergartener

Ok - so he's actually my first grader now and it's hard to believe how fast he's growing...in 12 short years he'll be headed off to college - WOW! As many mom's have said about their children's growth and the long days of 'mothering' - "Long days and short years" - how true!

Samuel has had a wonderful Kindergarten year at McDonough Methodist Academy and has grown so much - academically, spiritually, emotionally and physically. He can read just about anything, he can add and subtract double digit numbers, he's enjoyed some science experiments, memorized scripture, loved organized PE sports, has had to make it through some playground drama and has made great friends. What a precious year! The last week of school his school held a first ever Awards day and so that I don't forget what was said I'll write it here. To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised and super proud of my little guy.

Each of the teachers presented 4 awards to students in their classes in the areas of Reading, Math, Writing and Perseverance. Each of the specialty teachers (PE, music, Spanish, Library) presented an award to one person in each class. The teachers were very thoughtful in what they said about the award recepients and in doing so they highlighted the many gifts and talents the Lord has given the various children at the school.

Samuel received the Writing award for his kindergarten class. Samuel's teacher, Mrs. Miles, said she was always interested to see what Samuel wrote in his weekly Reading/Writing journal and loved seeing his enthusiasm at writing. He definitely surprised me with his writing - though some days were/are still a struggle - it is amazing to see some of the things he wrote in his journal throughout the year.

Samuel received the Spanish award from his Spanish teacher, Mrs. Leslie. She said that the award was not that Samuel knew the most Spanish but he was always helpful when they played games and was an enthusiastic participant. To be honest I was super surprised and I think Samuel was too.

Samuel also received the Music award for his class. His music teacher, Mr. Andrew, said that Samuel was always "involved" in what was going on, enthusiastic about participating and "high on ability". He said Samuel might even have better rhythm than him. Samuel definitely LOVES music and I hope we can provide opportunities for him to grow and use his skills in the future (I guess those drum lessons might get louder and louder in the coming years).

As we move into a new phase of life in a new place - educating our children becomes more and more of a challenge. Thank you to all of the teachers who have influenced Samuel at MMA. What a blessing you have been to him and to our family!

Quotes

The librarian at our library asked Samuel -

Librarian: "So what is it like to have another little sister at home?"
Samuel: in a dramatic tone "It's EXHAUSTING!"

Mama had to giggle at this one - yep, a five year old with much wisdom.

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Lucy and I looked at the instructions for one of her new activity books earlier in the day. We were on our way to the grocery store with Lydia screaming in the back seat.

Lucy: "Mama, Lydia's crying"
Mama: "I know, sweetheart, but I'm not sure what she needs and I don't know what to do."
Lucy: "Mama, why don't you read the DESTRUCTIONS so you will know what to do?"
Mama: "When you find them - I'll be glad to read them!"

My little ballerina

Lucy and several other little girls from our church have been taking ballet from a teenager, Miss Anna, at our church for the past several months and she has loved it. This past week was her recital at our church. It was sweet to see the little girls dance - Lucy's favorite part was the 'pinning' AKA spinning and her friend Ada's favorite part was the 'weaping' AKA leaping. The little girls pinned and weaped all over the stage and we were grateful for this chance for the girls to spend time every other week with their friends learning to dance and grow!

Samuel was excited for Lucy!

The dancers
Part of her dance with her babydoll
My little ballerina

Only in Lee

What are those kiddos eating? On a hot summer afternoon you would think children would be outside licking a popsicle or eating an ice cream cone. 'Nope - not at Papa's - they're on the driveway at Papa's house sopping biscuits. Wyatt, Samuel and Lucy stole out of the house with the leftover biscuits Grandma made and a bowl of butter mixed with Blackburn's syrup. Yep that's Papa and Grandma's grandkids!

Getting sleep anyway we can...

Lydia safe and sound for her afternoon nap while at Grandma's (the pack and play was already booked by another cousin who needed a nap too).


There has been a lull in the blogging lately due to sleep deprivation and the tendency lately for one little member of our family, I won't name any names but she's about 6 weeks old, to scream much of the afternoon and evening (I mean really screaming). Mama can't figure out anything that stops the screaming (nursing, not nursing, rocking, walking, baths, diaper changes, singing, outside, swaddling, sshhing, swinging, sleeping - etc.) and last night Mama joined the waterfall of tears. Hopefully we'll be back to blogging after some rest last night - Lydia decided she'd worn Mama out the last few weeks and slept for 5 hours straight and then went back to sleep and slept for 2 more - WOW! Almost seven whole hours of sleep for Mama.